A national industrial court in Abuja has restrained the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) from carrying out a planned protest in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), pending the resolution of an ongoing dispute with the Federal Capital Territory Authority (FCTA).

The ruling was delivered by Judge Emmanuel Subilim following an ex parte application filed by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, alongside the FCTA. The court’s decision specifically applies to NLC and TUC leaders, including Benson Upah and Nuhu Toro, as well as law enforcement agencies tasked with maintaining order.

According to the court, the action was necessary to prevent potential disruptions to law and order, obstruction of vehicular traffic, and violations of the rights of residents, expatriates, and tourists within Abuja.

The legal move comes after the FCTA workers began an indefinite strike on January 19, 2026, citing unresolved labour and welfare demands. The strike led to a shutdown of secretariats, departments, and agencies across the territory, prompting the minister to approach the court to restrain further industrial action.

The court highlighted that while workers have the right to industrial action, this right is not absolute. Once a trade dispute is referred to the national industrial court, any ongoing strike must cease pending determination.

Despite earlier instructions from the head of civil service directing all FCTA employees to resume duties immediately, the NLC had called for continued strike action, prompting judicial intervention.

Counsel to the FCT Minister, Ogwu Onoja, emphasized that the planned protest would contravene a valid court order and could further jeopardize public safety and essential services in the capital.

The court’s decision is expected to maintain industrial peace in Abuja while the national industrial court proceeds to hear and determine the underlying labour dispute.

The post Court Bars NLC, TUC From Protesting in Abuja Pending Dispute Resolution appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), sitting in Abuja, has issued an interlocutory injunction restraining the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) workers’ union from continuing its ongoing strike action.

The court order bars the leadership and members of the Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC), including their agents and affiliates, from embarking on strikes, picketing, road blockades, lockouts, or any activity capable of disrupting the operations of the FCTA.

The ruling followed an application filed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and the FCTA, challenging the legality of the industrial action declared by the workers over unpaid promotion arrears and other outstanding entitlements.

Delivering the ruling on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, Justice E. D. Subilim held that the applicants had established a strong case warranting judicial intervention to prevent a shutdown of government activities in the nation’s capital.

The court restrained the defendants—identified as Rifkatu Iortyer and Abdullahi Umar Saleh, President and Secretary of JUAC respectively—from proceeding with the strike pending the determination of the substantive suit. The union officials were absent during the court proceedings.

Counsel to the FCTA, Dr Ogwu J. Onoja, SAN, argued that the strike was illegal and did not comply with the provisions of the Trade Disputes Act, warning that it would paralyse essential services within the FCT.

Justice Subilim also granted the FCTA leave to serve court processes on the defendants through substituted means, ordering that the originating summons be published in a national daily and pasted at the JUAC office within the FCTA Secretariat in Garki, Abuja.

According to the court, the suit raises critical legal questions, including whether JUAC qualifies as a registered trade union with the capacity to lawfully declare a strike under Nigerian labour laws.

The case has been adjourned to Monday, January 26, 2026, for the hearing of the motion on notice.

Reacting to the development, a union leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the workers would comply with the court process and defend their actions within the legal framework.

The post Industrial Court Stops FCTA Workers’ Union Strike appeared first on Housing TV Africa.